Spinning school supply storage bin

ABSTRACT

A spinning school supply storage bin includes a base; a receptacle, rotatably attached to the base; a plurality of colored compartments attached to the receptacle, each compartment adapted to store at least one of the plurality of items; and a handle attached to the base that allows the receptacle to be urged to rotate so as to present one of the plurality of compartments for access. The colors of the compartments generally correspond to the colors of the items. Each compartment is adapted to store at least one of the colored items such as crayons.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims benefit of priority from United States Provisional Application No. 61/254,160, filed Oct. 22, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to containers, and more specifically, to a spinning school supply storage bin.

When students are given a group assignment, they experience chaos in their group setting, as well as interruptions from the teacher, and other students, because they may not have the appropriate organizer and materials to maintain order as they work in a cooperative group setting. Current holding devices such as bowls do not provide organization of supplies needed for each student when working with a group, which causes confusion and frequent interruptions during instructional periods. This results in less teaching time in the classroom setting. Current bowls do not meet the needs of the students in an organized manner. The bowl or receptacle may contain crayons of different colors, broken crayons, and missing color crayons. A bowl filled with these materials is difficult to sort out. The bowl is dragged across the table, while other students are tugging at the bowl, and looking for a color of their choice unsuccessfully. The current system does not work because there is no organization. Therefore, it is known to cause interruption, negative behavior, screaming, and frequently requires the teacher's attention.

As can be seen, there is a need for a container for student supplies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a device for storing a plurality of colored items includes a base; a receptacle, rotatably attached to the base; a plurality of colored compartments attached to the receptacle, each compartment adapted to store at least one of the plurality of items; and a handle attached to the base that allows the receptacle to be urged to rotate so as to present one of the plurality of compartments for access; wherein the colors of the compartments generally correspond to the colors of the items.

In another aspect of the present invention, a device for storing a plurality of colored items includes a base; a generally circular receptacle having first and second sides, the receptacle rotatably attached to the base at the center of the second side of the receptacle; a plurality of colored compartments attached to the first side of the receptacle, at least one compartment including: a bin to store at least one of the plurality of items, a lid, a hinge to attach the lid to the bin, and a geometric shaped knob on the lid to open and close the compartment; and a handle attached to the center of the first side of the receptacle and rotatably attached to the base, the handle allowing the receptacle to be urged to rotate so as to provide access to one of the plurality of compartments; wherein the colors of the compartments generally correspond to the colors of the items.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, with compartment lids open;

FIG. 3 depicts a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, with compartment lids closed;

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of a compartment according to the embodiment of FIG. 1, with the lid in a closed position;

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of the compartment of FIG. 1, with the lid in an open position;

FIG. 6 depicts a top view of a color disk according to the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 depicts a top view of a spinning receptacle according to the embodiment of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 8 depicts a top view of a base according to the embodiment of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention generally provides a spinning bin for holding and distributing various usable items pertaining to education.

Embodiments may include a device that provides several appropriately organized compartments for storing crayons, or other household materials, to help students stay focused during cooperative learning at home or in a classroom setting at school, but not limited to uses outside of school and home. Each compartment is colored to match the crayons or other colored items that are to be stored in the compartment.

An embodiment may provide an appropriate and organized receptacle so as to provide sufficient supplies for each student. An embodiment may allow the student to choose the color needed with an excess of crayons in each compartment, sorted according to individual color. Several of a single color crayon may be stored in each compartment, with the quantity of crayons selected according to the size of the group of students. This may help allow each child to have one of each color, if necessary, while carrying out an assignment. A spin of the color bin may provide the child with the convenience of choosing, instead of pulling and tugging, and not being able to carry out an assignment or to reach a goal successfully. The user may turn the handle, which causes a receptacle to rotate so as to present one of at least eight colored compartments to the user for access. The colors of the compartments generally correspond to the generally solid colors of the crayons or other items, so that the colors of the compartments are the colors of the crayons.

As depicted in FIG. 1, a spinner 10 may have a color disk 36, a spinning receptacle 54, and a base 44. A handle 40 may have an extension rod 38 that may pass through the color disk 36, spinning receptacle 54, and into the base 44. The spinning receptacle 54 may hold each compartment 60, and an example receptacle 54 may measure about 17 inches across measured at the outer rim 42. The receptacle 54 may be a generally circular disc with two generally-opposite sides or faces, such as an upper side and lower side. The base 44 may support spinning receptacle 54, and may, for example, measure about 9 inches across.

As depicted in the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3, the spinning receptacle 54 may hold approximately eight compartments 60 or individual bins. The spinning receptacle 54 may have triangular colored labels 34 between the compartments 60. These compartments may be mounted on a flat surface with a strong substance such as glue, or bolts to hold secure. Different colors in the color disk may be inlaid in the center of the color disk. This may add amusement and color memory as the bin spins around.

As depicted in the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5, each compartment 60 or bin may have a hinge 32 that connects a lid 14 to a rim 20 having an edge 22. A side wall 12 and floor 16 connect to form a storage area for crayons or other items. The lid 14, side wall 12, and floor 16 of each compartment 60 may have a matching color, which may used to select the color of the crayons when in use. A snap lid closure 18 may hold the lid 14 closed. The top of the lid 14 for the compartment 60 may have a knob 24 having a geometric shape and a shape label 26 identifying the geometric shape of the knob 24. The lid 14 may have an upper color label 28 on the top and a lower color label 30 on the bottom that provides the name of the color of the compartment 60.

As depicted in the embodiment of FIG. 6, the color disk 36 may include color triangles 50, color rings 52, or other colored elements, having colors that match the color of the compartments 60. The color disk 36 may be a part of the spinning receptacle 54, or may be a component that sits on top of the spinning receptacle 54. The color triangles 50 may be arranged to correspond and line up with the compartments 60, or with triangular lid labels 34 on the spinning receptacle 54.

As depicted in the embodiment of FIG. 7, spinning receptacle 54 may include color disk 36 as well as triangular colored labels 34 between compartments 60. Colored labels 34 may be sections that correspond or align with colored compartments 60. As depicted in the embodiment of FIG. 8, base 44 may attach to handle extension rod 38 at the center of the base. This attachment may allow for rod 38 to rotate relative to base 44.

In an embodiment, components may be fitted so that the items fit in the compartment 60 in a horizontal position. The compartment 60 or bin may have space for eight pieces of crayons, for example. The spin base 44 may allow the color bin to spin manually for independent availability. The lid may also prevent the crayons from falling out of the bin, and help with proper storage.

To make an embodiment of the present invention, the platform may include a round piece of plastic which measures no larger than, for example, 17 inches across. The length of the bin from front to back may be, for example, 5 inches. The width of the bin from left to right may be, for example, 5¾ inches. The back of the bin from left to right may be, for example, ½ inch. The shape and size of the lid should match the rest of the bin, with an overlap to connect at the back of the bin, which may be controlled by the hinge to open and close. Each bin may use the same measurement, but may be a different color. The eight bins may be connected around the spinning receptacle, which may be a plastic circle or turntable, leaving a space in the center which may measure, for example, 6 inches across. In the center of this space may be a hole such as one made from a hole puncher. This may be used to extend the handle from the top to the bottom of the device using a bolt for support, which may allow the handle to rotate relative to the base. An extension rod may include a piece of plastic which may measure 8 inches across and 1½ inches wide. A hole in the center may match the hole evenly with the one in the platform which the bins are mounted to. Another plastic circle may be 4½ inches across, which is the base of the device. The compartments or bins may be connected to the turntable with a bolt or other adhesive underneath the turntable to hold the handle secure, and to support the weight of the bins. Eight geometric shapes may be used on top of the lid for opening and closing.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

1. A device for storing a plurality of colored items, comprising: a base; a receptacle, rotatably attached to the base; a plurality of colored compartments attached to the receptacle, each compartment adapted to store at least one of the plurality of items; and a handle attached to the base that allows the receptacle to be urged to rotate so as to present one of the plurality of compartments for access; wherein the colors of the compartments generally correspond to the colors of the items.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the receptacle is a disc having first and second sides, the handle is located at the center of the first side of receptacle, and the receptacle is attached to the base at the center of the second side of the receptacle.
 3. The device of claim 1, further comprising: at least eight compartments, each having a different, generally solid color.
 4. The device of claim, wherein the compartments are adapted to store crayons, and the colors of the compartments are the colors of the crayons.]
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the compartments further comprises: a lid; a side wall; a floor connected to the side wall; and a hinge that attaches the lid to the side wall, thereby providing a compartment with a lid that can be opened and closed.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the compartments further comprises: a lid; and a geometrically shaped knob on the lid for opening and closing the lid.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the compartments further comprises: a label providing the name of the color of the compartment.
 8. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a color disk, positioned on the receptacle around the handle, the color disk having a plurality of colored sections, each section corresponding to the color of one of the compartments.
 9. A device for storing a plurality of colored items, comprising: a base; a generally circular receptacle having first and second sides, the receptacle rotatably attached to the base at the center of the second side of the receptacle; a plurality of colored compartments attached to the first side of the receptacle, at least one compartment including: a bin to store at least one of the plurality of items, a lid, a hinge to attach the lid to the bin, and a geometric shaped knob on the lid to open and close the compartment; and a handle attached to the center of the first side of the receptacle and rotatably attached to the base, the handle allowing the receptacle to be urged to rotate so as to provide access to one of the plurality of compartments; wherein the colors of the compartments generally correspond to the colors of the items.
 10. The device of claim 9, further comprising: a color disk, positioned on the receptacle around the handle, the color disk having a plurality of colored sections, each section corresponding to the color of one of the compartments; a first label for each compartment providing the name of the color of the compartment; and a second label for each compartment providing the name of the geometric shaped knob on the lid of the compartment. 